TECH
Planning – Lucid ’ s experts can help you prepare for the switchoff of the copper Public Switched Telephone Network in 2025 .
FUTURE -PROOF
Technology expert Lucid says businesses would be wise to plan ahead when it comes to telecoms ...
The variety of communication methods a business can employ has never been more diverse than in the last decade .
While many businesses have already moved away from relying solely on landline phones , essential services still need the century-old copper wires and the Integrated Service Digital Network ( ISDN ) internet that this ageing infrastructure provides .
The pandemic accelerated the use of remote worker solutions . Services such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom have come to the forefront of our daily business lives , and these players have also moved into the business telephony space .
Decisions made by the government and telecoms carriers have meant businesses need to look at their telecoms strategy .
In August 2021 , BT Openreach announced the date for its copper switchoff is to be December 2025 , and that the move from copper to fibre networks will happen in stages .
In line with the government ’ s goal of providing gigabit connectivity across the UK , the Public Switched Telephone Network ( PSTN ) and its copper system will be switched off by the end of that year .
Why is the government switching off the copper system ? First introduced in 1877 , the copper telephone system is well over a century old and is becoming increasingly expensive to maintain .
There are other factors driving the switch-off , the main one being that the current copper system consumes 0.6 per cent of the country ’ s energy .
The new fibre network not only reduces costs but also contributes to an overall decrease in the country ’ s carbon footprint , in line with the government ’ s Net Zero Strategy , which proposes to achieve net zero in all sectors by 2050 .
The lines won ’ t all be turned off at once . Openreach has explained that it will switch off the old copper system in phases . Once 75 per cent of UK properties have been switched to the digital system , Openreach will introduce a “ stop sell ” on copper services , meaning new lines cannot be ordered .
Beware of scare tactics from some suppliers suggesting you must do something now . As a business , we receive at least two calls a week from call centre staff trying to convince us that we have to do something today !
There is still time to plan , and businesses need to evaluate the best options for their immediate and long-term future .
How will the copper switch-off affect my business ? No matter the size of the business , or what your current telephone system is ,
How can Lucid help ? you need to plan for 2025 . In many cases , it may not be appropriate to do anything right now , particularly if internet speeds in your area are currently poor .
Internet speed is a major factor when it comes to your options . It is important , however , to start looking at what you could do . Your business is bound to need to make changes , although you have time to plan and implement them .
The choices are wide and varied . Partnering with a company that is able to offer a comprehensive range of services , should allow you to make the best decision . Whether you go on-premise , fully hosted , hybrid or consider moving your calls to newer players such as Teams and Zoom , getting the right advice is crucial .
Copper phone lines impact more than just telephone systems , and there may be parts of your business that need evaluating before a planned shut-off , including alarm systems , lift service lines and payment terminals .
Many of these systems are already able to cope with this change . However , ensuring you have the required technology to switch to digital services is the key to preparing for the copper switch-off .
Lucid is dedicated to ensuring your business fully understands the upcoming changes and that you are fully aware of all the options available to you . With over 30 years of trading under its belt , its experts are fully manufacturer-trained in all aspects of business communications and can ensure a best-fit solution for you and your team . Contact Lucid ’ s experts on 01642 792567 or email hi @ lucidgrp . co . uk for more information .
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